Erik ten Hag has been bulleted by Manchester United after two-and-a-half years in charge.
The 54-year-old Dutchman’s fate was sealed after a 2-1 defeat a West Ham United on Sunday left the Red Devils languishing in 14th place in the English Premier League having picked up just 11 points from the opening nine games – their worst start to a Premier League season.
Manchester United, who face Rangers in the Europa League early next year, only triggered a one-year extension in the deal Ten Hag signed when he joined from Ajax in April 2022 during the summer, fresh from lifting the FA Cup with a final win over Manchester City at Wembley. That was the second piece of silverware of Ten Hag’s time in charge having also lifted the English League Cup the previous season, beating Newcastle United in the final to end a six-year wait for a trophy. Man Utd finished third in Ten Hag’s first season but eighth last season.
The club, led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe following his investment last December, conducted a review of the team’s performance across the season during the summer which saw them speak to potential replacements for Ten Hag but it was decided that the Dutchman deserved to keep his job in order to work under a new, improved structure. However, it hasn’t gone to plan and now they have been forced to act.
A club statement read: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future. Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”